Snapshots
The varied settings of India, from the turquoise waters of the Andamans to the lush landscapes of Kochi, are worth every visit. Naturally, these have prompted creative restaurateurs, hoteliers, and entrepreneurs to create magnificent places. Five of the best boutique hotels in India—all nominated for the upcoming Zee Zest Unlimit Awards 2025—are a must-visit if you’re looking for a beautiful combination of luxury and exclusivity.
Villa Palladio, Jaipur
The dominant element of Villa Palladio is a vibrant, dazzling crimson. Encircled by a breathtakingly white border wall, which enhances its feeling of quiet seclusion, the nine-room villa lies on a little over three acres of ground. The late Thakur Abhay Singh of Kanota constructed the home in the 1980s; it was once a traditional Rajasthani haveli. Hence, it has classic bones but a revitalised soul that seems to have sailed the Silk Road from Europe to China and India.
The main structure of Villa Palladio also houses the eating spaces, however, there aren't any actual restaurants there. On the other side of the main house, on a covered porch that looks like a Goan balcão and overlooks the back gardens, is where lunch and supper are served. The breakfast room is on the first floor, right over the main building's entrance.
The Rajasthani thali stands out and is the most recommended here! Phulkas are soft and pliable, the Chicken Curry, a lighter take on traditional Laal Maas, has the ideal spice-to-protein ratio, and the chef has transformed the unappetising tinda aka a gourd/Indian squash into an aesthetically pleasing sabzi. A nutritious Gatte Ki Kadhi and Gulab Jamun round off the dinner, but the thali also includes raita, dal, rice, and two chutneys (mint and garlic).
The Dolkhar, Leh
The Dolkhar is a collection of seven two-storey villas situated on a block of land that was formerly owned by Rigzin Wangmo Lachic's grandmother. The property is centred around an orchard of apples and apricots. Everything about the hotel reflects this connection to the land- the plant-based cuisine at Tsas, the building materials, and the furnishings and amenities obtained from artisanal villages around the Union Territory.
The villas in The Dolkhar include comfortable seating, including a sofa that can be used as a daybed, one which adorns the lower floor's living and dining spaces. Local craftspeople's hand-knotted carpets, cushion coverings and throws made of yak and sheep wool give the room its homely vibe! Complimentary in-room snacks include pulli biscuits and local herbal teas, continuing the ethos of the establishment; with the exception of the Bili Hu coffee that is transported in from the plains, everything else follows that script.
The cuisine at Tsas, which means garden in Ladakhi, features modern meals made with ingredients sourced from close to home. Spicy nori, apricot kernels, root vegetables, chilli-honey foam, and lime vinaigrette, are just some of the ingredients that blissfully marry Japanese and Ladakhi palettes. A top dish is the Tsas Burnt Lime Thenthuk, a Ladakhi preparation often cooked with yak or sheep meat, which is known for its strong acidity.
Jalakara, Andaman
Introducing Jalakara: the perfect blend of boutique hotels and private villas. Jalakara combines the intimacy, comfort, and personalisation of a villa with the efficiency and friendliness of a boutique hotel. They have envisioned a house party atmosphere where visitors casually mingle while sipping poolside sundowners or brewing coffee in the main villa kitchen. The three-room, three-suite, and one-private villa Jalakara is quite small. They offer the rare luxury of staying somewhere authentic, raw, and beautiful in a spectacular setting.
The smiles are genuine, the food is freshly picked, and everything is designed to make you feel awesome! Their 15-person dedicated team overcomes the logistical challenges of their remote, off-grid, island location to deliver friendly, informal but efficient service. As for the supper meal, it's all about the incredible fresh seafood and tropical bounty of the Andaman Islands. The three-way Papaya and Coconut curry, Sugar-Cured Tiger Prawns, and Spiny Lobster Plate are some of the standout dishes at Jalakara.
Kara Fort, Kochi
Two historic structures, which have undergone extensive renovations, formerly served as the mint for the Portuguese East India Company in the early 17th century and now house Kara. The eight-key, all-white hotel, which overlooks the colonial-era Parade Ground, now seems more like an art gallery that also provides accommodation for guests to enjoy close proximity to the artworks on display.
The onsite gallery showcases thematic exhibitions by local and international artists, while the retail store offers modern takes on traditional Keralan crafts, such as organic food, clay items, and silver jewellery influenced by the Theyyam style. Over 30 pieces of art, including paintings, prints, sculptures, and photographs, by artists such as MF Husain and KG Subramanyan are shown throughout the house; all taken from the private collection of renowned collector Abhishek Poddar. Many of the antiquities, relics, and pieces of furniture are either owned by Poddar or have been restored by skilled craftspeople in the area.
Stylish minimalism permeates every space, from the carefully arranged artwork and antiques to the subdued furniture crafted by handloom weavers in Kerala and down to the smallest of details, like the classic brass filter coffee-making equipment. In addition to inventive continental dishes, the hotel restaurant menu features hearty stews and fried fish from Kerala. An exciting development is that two up-and-coming chefs from the area will be showcasing dishes from the tasting menu that pay homage to the Portuguese and Dutch influences on traditional Keralan cuisine.
Ronil Goa - JdV by Hyatt
A new boutique resort in Calangute, Ronil Goa is a JdV by Hyatt hotel and an improbable link between the old, relaxed Goa and the modern, lively one. This year, the 35-year-old facility transformed a 125-room budget hotel into a 135-room JdV (short for joie de vivre) by Hyatt Resort—the first of its kind in India and Southwest Asia. You might not see it coming up on the Calangute-Baga Road, but the resort spreads out into two blocks once you go inside, with the in-house restaurant and two pools dividing the two halves. An appropriate introduction to the resort's vivacity is a coffee rum shot, in keeping with traditional Goan hospitality.
Book a room in the second building with the property's second 'tranquil' pool if you'd rather have a quieter vacation. The pool is open until 10 pm and is perfect for a leisurely swim. Instead of the usual abstract artwork seen in hotel rooms, guests may enjoy rooms with walls covered in monotone textures, a sliding mirror that doubles as a minimalist door to the closet, and doorknobs fashioned like seashells, among other clever design aspects. For those who want to stay up late, the minibar offers a complimentary bottle of Maka Di beer, Goa's latest obsession!
Lunch at the Ronil Bistro with its Prawn Curry, Rice, Kismoor and Eggplant Pickle, and supper by the pool with its fresh, fluffy Sourdough Pizzas are both things we know you could get used to! The ice cream is from the famous Cream Choc in Goa, therefore, you shouldn't miss it. The hotel at Ronil Goa can set up floating breakfasts, barbecues, poolside picnics, and bonfires, making it the perfect spot for a group vacation.